State Sen. Roger Thompson and State Rep. Weldon Watson were joined this week by ten other members of the House and Senate in signing a letter urging members of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to approve Public Service Company of Oklahoma’s application for preapproval for the Wind Catcher Energy Connection Project.
Thompson is currently the Chair of the Senate Finance Appropriations Subcommittee and has already been named incoming Chair of the full Senate Appropriations Committee. Watson is House Chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The lawmakers say the project will result in billions in economic development and the creation of thousands of jobs.
“First, we’re talking energy savings—plus customers will enjoy consistent rates for the next 25 years,” said Thompson, R-Okemah. “Beyond that, we’re looking at $4.5 billion in direct investments, and additional $2 billion in associated economic activity, as well as thousands of jobs. The settlement terms guaranteeing PSO customer savings and other economic benefits for our state can only be secured by the quick action of the Corporation Commission”
“We’re talking about the creation of more than 8,000 jobs during construction, over $300 million in ad valorem revenues over the life of the project, millions of dollars to landowners, Oklahoma manufacturing jobs at Trinity Tower Manufacturing in Tulsa for part of the turbine towers and 90 permanent, high quality operations and maintenance jobs,” said Watson, R-Tulsa. “That’s why we’ve submitted this letter of support urging approval of this project.”
For more information, contact Sen. Roger Thompson at 405-521-5588, or Rep. Weldon Watson at 405-557-7368.
